Scouting Rapids | Ep. 230
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- In ep. 230, Zach talks about scouting rapids on whitewater rivers.
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When scouting large complex rapids, I think it’s valuable to look at the rapid from water level as well as higher up the bank when possible.
Yes, absolutely!
Isn't it funny? The large features such as big holes or waves allways get all the attention but we forget to look upstream to figure out how to run the entrance. In my opinion, this is the most valuable tip for scouting rapids especially for new boaters.
I'm a recreational private boater, so not super experienced, but knowing what kind of momentum you want to have heading into a long rapid is critical to scouting. I'll fully admit that I've screwed up back-rowing into a major feature when I should have pushed. At the top of a scouted section, back-rowing was good to get into position, but in the 'meat' pushing would be very helpful to have proper momentum to push through the line you want to make.
I do like the W as it reminds me to really look at the water, where and how it is flowing, and keeps me from getting tunnel vision on the obstacles.
I agree with the value of 'W'. At different flows, a rapid (or portions of it) may change significantly.
One thing I don't think you mentioned but I find is valuable. One of my river mentors has taught me to scout rapids that I might know very well but haven't run that season. New obstacles may have appeared (wood), different river levels, etc. may change your approach to the rapid.
Yes that's a great addition. Thanks for sharing.
For sure! I've done the Mainamy times. Just got off on the first of October with the lowest flows in 20 years. Not one single rapid looked anything like what I've seen in the past. The worst rapids were ones that, at higher water, are barely noticeable.
Markers! Yes, I have made the mistake you mentioned of looking at the scary thing and then not focusing on how to enter the rapid to actually avoid it.
So funny story, a group of buddies and I scouted a gnarly section of a canyon, we planned our route, entrance was clear, but halfway through all of us (and this was 5 boats!) missed a key move before realizing that we missed our marker, so we all got stuck. Wasn't dangerous, it just took a long time to get us all out lol.
Not sure when everyone began to think that adults were not capable of learning and remembering things without some acronym. I have always found people spend more time trying to remember and regurgitate what words are in an acronym than actually thinking about what they are suppose to be concentrating on. If an instructor actually needs an acronym to remember any part of objective scouting they probably should not be instructing in my opinion.
Curious to know what kind of educator you are and where your credentials came from?